NRL STAR TO FIGHT PIZZA ‘ASSAULT’
NRL star Dylan Walker wants to fight his assault charges after being arrested over an altercation when he went to pick up a pizza.
Walker, 26, of Dee Why in Sydney, appeared in Manly Local Court on Wednesday and formally pleaded not guilty to two counts of common assault following the incident outside a restaurant on Sydney’s northern beaches on November 1.
Police allege in court documents the Manly Sea Eagles five-eighth assaulted Stephen and Enzo Melani between 8.35pm and 8.50pm. Officers have alleged Walker collected the pizza from the Little Italy Pizzeria in Narraweena before he tried to open the door of a car parked outside that belonged to a woman associated with the restaurant and a physical confrontation erupted.
“Police have been told that a man left the restaurant and attempted to enter the vehicle of a woman unknown to him parked outside the restaurant,” police said in a statement. “When confronted, the man allegedly became aggressive and was allegedly involved in a physical altercation, assaulting two men before fleeing.”
The pepperoni pizza was left uneaten on the road.
As part of strict bail conditions, Walker is forbidden from entering Little Italy or going within 50m of the restaurant, the documents state. He also must not be intoxicated by alcohol or illicit drugs while in a public place. Walker, who is being represented by defence lawyer Ramy Qutami, will return to court in January.
The NRL integrity unit is investigating the matter.
Walker has one year remaining on his NRL contract with the Sea Eagles.